Goldco
APMEX
Min. Investment
$15,000 / $25,000 $15,000 for cash purchases / $25,000 for gold IRA
$0
Established
2006
2000
Storage Fees
$100 – $150 Non-Segregated: $100 | Segregated: $150 per year . Estimated annual fee.
About 0.55% Annually, estimated – can be vary between accounts
Coin & Bar Selection
Focused on IRA-approved coins and bars
Wide variety, including collectibles and rounds
Payment Methods
Cards, PayPal, Wire, eCheck, Crypto
Cards, PayPal, Wire, eCheck, Crypto
Pricing Transparency
No, must contact for pricing
Yes, prices shown on site
Best For
Retirement investors, IRA-focused buyers
Active buyers, collectors, AutoInvest
Our Rating
(4.7/5)
(4.1/5)
Read Review
Read Review

Trust & Reputation: APMEX vs. Goldco

Goldco has significantly stronger customer reviews across all major platforms.

Goldco holds a 4.8 rating on Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs, along with a nearly perfect 4.9 on Google. APMEX, in contrast, has a 1.7 rating on Trustpilot and 2.8 on Consumer Affairs—despite being a major player in the industry.

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While APMEX is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating, customer feedback tends to focus on issues with fulfillment and support. Goldco’s consistent high ratings point to stronger customer satisfaction and trust.

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Buying Precious Metals: APMEX vs. Goldco

Our preferred choice for direct gold and silver purchases is APMEX, due to its larger inventory, flexible payment options, and extra investor tools.

Where They’re Both Strong:

  • Product Variety: Both offer gold and silver bars and coins, with IRA-eligible options.

  • Free Shipping: Orders over $199 qualify for free insured delivery.

  • Buyback Programs: Both dealers accept buybacks even if you didn’t purchase from them.

  • Payment Methods: Both accept wire transfers, checks, credit cards, and cryptocurrency.

copper products on APMEX
Copper products on APMEX (Screenshot taken by our team, prices are not updated)

Where APMEX Stands Out:

  • Massive Selection: Includes bullion, rare coins, collectibles, jewelry, and even junk silver.

  • AutoInvest Feature: Allows recurring purchases of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

  • The Bullion Card: A unique credit card that gives cash-back rewards in gold or silver.

  • Digital Metals (OneGold): Lets you invest in digital gold/silver stored in real vaults.

APMEX gold coins
APMEX gold coins (Screenshot from APMEX website)

Where Goldco Stands Out:

  • Hands-On Support: Investors work directly with representatives for product selection and delivery.

  • Streamlined Process: Excellent if you want help from a rep for direct purchases.

  • Buyback Guarantee: Assures highest price after three years of holding.

APMEX clearly appeals more to active buyers and collectors who want a broad range of products and modern tools. Goldco, while more focused on IRAs, offers a simpler route for traditional investors.

1oz silver american bald eagle, Goldco

Best for Precious Metal IRAs: APMEX or Goldco?

Our preferred choice for precious metal IRAs is Goldco, mainly due to its focused IRA services, strong ratings, and reliable storage partnerships.

Where They’re Both Strong:

  • Custodian Partnerships: Both work with established IRA custodians like Equity Trust and Strata.

  • IRS-Approved Products: Offer IRA-eligible gold and silver bars and coins.

  • Secure Storage: Use IRS-approved vaults with insured, segregated or non-segregated options.

  • Buyback Programs: Both dealers support liquidation through their own buyback programs.

Goldco open precious metals IRA
Open precious metals IRA, Goldco

Where Goldco Stands Out:

  • Experience in Gold IRAs: Goldco is entirely IRA-focused, with thousands of satisfied customers.

  • Transparent Fees: Lists IRA setup, storage, and maintenance fees clearly.

  • Strong Reputation: Backed by excellent customer ratings, including a 4.8 on Consumer Affairs and Trustpilot.

  • Minimum Investment: Although higher ($25,000), it ensures dedicated support and streamlined onboarding.

  • Buyback Assurance: Goldco offers to buy back gold at the highest market price after 3 years.

Where APMEX Falls Short:

  • Customer Ratings: Mixed reviews raise concerns for long-term IRA investors.

  • Fee Clarity: IRA fees are not fully listed, which can make it harder to compare costs.

  • Focus: APMEX offers IRAs, but they are just one of many services—not a specialty.

If your primary goal is to protect your retirement savings with gold or silver, Goldco is the safer and more IRA-focused choice, with a proven system and higher client satisfaction.

membership on APMEX

Final Verdict: APMEX vs. Goldco

Overall, we recommend APMEX for buyers looking for variety and flexible purchase tools, and Goldco for investors focused on retirement gold and silver IRAs.

  • Ratings Winner: Goldco – Excellent reputation across Trustpilot, BBB, and Consumer Affairs.
  • Direct Purchase Winner: APMEX – Broader selection, AutoInvest, and flexible tools.
  • IRA Winner: Goldco – Better fees, stronger reputation, and deeper expertise.

Your best choice depends on whether you’re building your stack now or securing your long-term savings.